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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, World War II veterans Ira B. Gohlke and Ray |
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Westerfeld of McGregor have been featured in the Waco |
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Tribune-Herald as Voices of Valor; and |
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WHEREAS, These two cousins were drafted into the U.S. Army in |
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1944; Mr. Gohlke was inducted in August and Mr. Westerfeld in |
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December, and both men trained at Fort Riley, Kansas; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Gohlke served with the American occupation |
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forces in Osaka, Japan, following the end of the war in the Pacific, |
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in early September 1945, while Mr. Westerfeld spent the remainder |
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of his enlistment period in Oregon and California and at Camp Hood; |
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Mr. Westerfeld was discharged at the rank of sergeant in July 1946, |
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while Mr. Gohlke mustered out at the rank of corporal in September |
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1946; and |
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WHEREAS, Back in Texas, the cousins, who had been courting |
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sisters Helene and Margaret Schulte, married in a double ceremony |
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on November 14, 1946; Ira and Margaret Gohlke raised 2 sons and have |
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6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, while Helene and Ray |
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Westerfeld have been blessed with 4 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 11 |
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great-grandchildren; retired from farming, the couples now live |
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around the corner from each other, and they celebrated their joint |
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70th wedding anniversary in 2016; and |
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WHEREAS, Two men of deep patriotism, Ray Westerfeld and Ira |
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Gohlke embodied the highest ideals of the United States armed |
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forces, and their fellow citizens owe them a lasting debt of |
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gratitude; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Ira Gohlke and Ray Westerfeld on |
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their recognition as Voices of Valor by the Waco Tribune-Herald and |
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extend to them deep appreciation for their exemplary service to |
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their country; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared |
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for Mr. Gohlke and Mr. Westerfeld as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Anderson of McLennan |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 698 was adopted by the House on March |
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16, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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